Davis stepping down at PV
- Updated: January 15, 2015
‘Proud’ of what program has accomplished in his 10 years; also, Williams takes over Donoho golf team
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
JACKSONVILLE – The Pleasant Valley football team will have a new head coach calling the shots next fall as Jeff Davis has decided to step away after 10 seasons at the helm.
The resignation will not become official until the Calhoun County Board meeting next Thursday, but Davis cited the upcoming arrivals of two grandchildren and other family consideration as his reasons for stepping down.
Pleasant Valley principal Mark Proper is expected to recommend an interim head coach from within the staff at that board meeting as well. He said he was “very proud” of the “10 great years” Davis has given them as coach and “respected” the job he did for the Raiders.
Davis was the longest tenured public school head football coach in Calhoun County and third longest overall behind JCA’s Tommy Miller (14 years) and Donoho’s Shannon Felder (11 years).
“I’ve given them 10 years of my best,” he said. “I have no regrets what I’ve done.”
Davis posted a 35-68 record in his 10 seasons with the Raiders and took them to the playoffs three times, which was two more than they had in the previous 23 years before his arrival. They were 3-7 this past season with victories over area rivals Weaver, Ashville and Ohatchee.
His best seasons were 2007 and 2008 when the Raiders post back-to-back winning seasons for only the second time in school history.
His teams were the most prolific offensively in school history, averaging 209 points over of the last eight seasons. Five of those eight teams scored 200 points or more, a milestone accomplished only once prior to his arrival. The 2007 team scored a school-record 279 points.
“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in the 10 years since I’ve been here,” Davis said. “We’ve been to the playoffs three times … built a new field house, revamped the weight room, started a weight program. There are a lot of things we’ve got to be proud of.”
Williams takes over Donoho golf program
MADISON WILLIAMS
Madison Williams, only a few years herself removed from being a player, is still getting used to answering to being called “Coach.”
The former Alexandria champion has been hired to coach the Donoho golf teams, replacing Garrett Burgess, who was hired earlier last summer to replace Russ Connell.
“It’s going to be different,” she said. “It’ll take time getting to, for me. But I think it’s good.”
The hire happened quickly. Burgess was set to direct the program but found he couldn’t commit to the time demands and stepped aside, although he remains committed to helping the team “any way possible.” Donoho officials reached out to Williams earlier in the week and after some initial apprehension she accepted the position Wednesday and announced it to the world Thursday.
“I never thought I would be coaching high school golf, but I never thought I’d be doing a lot of things,” she said. “I’m excited about it. I think it’s a good opportunity to give back to the community and help some kids. I’m looking forward to it.”
Williams already has a roster of four girls and seven boys, but players can sign up through Friday. Their first parent meeting is next week.
Her first match as a high school coach is March 4 – against Alexandria.
TENURES OF CALHOUN COUNTY FOOTBALL COACHES
14 – Tommy Miller, JCA
11 — Shannon Felder, Donoho
10 – Jeff Davis, Pleasant Valley
9 – Steve Smith, Piedmont
8 — Frank Tucker, Alexandria
6 – Jeff Smith, Wellborn
5 — Eddie Bullock, Anniston
5 – Daryl Hamby, Weaver
3 – Clint Smith, Jacksonville
3 – Jonathan Miller, Saks
2 – Ryan Herring, Oxford
1 – Scott Martin, Ohatchee
1 – Larry Strain, White Plains
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